The Lipscomb women’s soccer team closed out the opening weekend of 2011 with a hard-fought match against Central Arkansas, Sunday afternoon. While the conditions were hot, the Lady Bison offense was not, falling to the Bears 1-0 in the season’s second game.

Both sides started out strong, with early chances coming for both the Lady Bisons and the visitors from Conway, Arkansas. A shot in the second minute by Central Arkansas’s Elizabeth Brady was stonewalled by Lipscomb’s Erin Zerio; her counterpart, Central Arkansas’ Kelsey Gochnauer, made a save on Lipscomb freshman Bayley Linnell in the fifth minute. As the first half wore on, the heat and humidity begin to play a more pivotal role, and the game slowed to a more controlled pace.

The attack for Lipscomb was more balanced than it showed at times Friday against Arkansas State; after being whistled offside on nine occasions in Friday night’s match-up with the Red Wolves, the Lady Bisons were only caught behind the defense once against Central Arkansas.

Central Arkansas broke through in the game’s 39th minute. Senior Julie Foerster lofted a free kick into the box, where it was batted around.

Lipscomb’s defense was unable to clear, and sophomore Madison Poteet corralled the ball and put it past junior netminder Zerio for the lone score of the contest.

Though challenged often, Zerio made six stops on the day, giving her 153 for her career. She now stands four away from tying Bethany Copeland for fourth on the all-time career saves list with 157.

After a first half that produced only three shots, Lipscomb came out firing in the second half with six shots, including three on net.

Freshman Linnell, from nearby Oakland High School, was the catalyst for several Lady Bison chances, firing three shots and putting one on net. Kristen Reiman, Stephanie Romero and Danielle Bethke also put shots on goal for Lipscomb.

Reiman, Romero and freshman Brittany Rupple went the full 90 minutes for the Lady Bisons.

Lipscomb will return to the practice field this week in anticipation of Friday evening’s home match with Nicholls State, scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m. Sunday, the Lady Bisons will play their first road match, traveling to instate rival Tennessee Martin for a 2:00 p.m. tilt.